11.29.2009
11.25.2009
These are the guys that gave up their weekends for us
Alumni, Army persons, NTU students!
Over the weekend the adult leaders had a retreat. It was an all guys outing minus Candy and Huishan, and we had ALOT of fun.
Looking back, I am so proud of all of these guys who sacrificially spend their weekends with the Primers.
Many of them only have that Saturday and Sunday to spend time out of their normal days of hard work in studies or work, yet if you ask any of them, they will count it as a pleasure to serve every of you guys!
This saturday we as a family will be having our SGB collection at Clementi, do remember to say that word of appreciation as you see all these adult leaders come on saturday k!
Have fun and give a food pack today!
Kenny Foo
How real is your Wealth?
"Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum, it makes one." - Benjamin Franklin
This is a truly sobering quote that is runs contrary to the "money makes the world go round" school of thought. We live in a society that is entrenched in greed and many times we are caught up in the midst of it all.
We study so we can get a good high paying job and with that we will be happy. But will we? When was the last time the joy we got out of our shiny new toy or new clothes lasted for more than a few weeks? Before long, its on to the next item on our buying hit list. Is wealth just an endless cycle of amassing money and buying things?
As we enter this season of giving through SGB, we stand to be enriched much more through the time and effort we put in. Most of us may be more financially privileged than the people we are trying to help but are we truly as rich as we think we are?
“No man can tell whether he is rich or poor by turning to his ledger. It is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich or poor according to what he is, not according to what he has."
There is much that we stand to gain, in terms of character and heart, through the journey of helping our beneficiaries and even interacting with them.
Lets get rich together!
- ben lee
11.23.2009
A New Begining
Sharity gift box is back once again. Feeling excited! It is my second year helping up in SGB. This year being in the main com was event more challenging for me. This year target is to achieve 500 food packs. My cluster, cluster C is aiming to get 120 food packs. Publicity plays an important role in promoting and making people aware of this event that is happening in SP so that they could contribute and do their part.
Some of the primers, including myself, actually gave out flyers in the morning at Dover MRT to the students and lecturers who pass by there before entering into the school to let them know that SGB is here. It was not very easy in the beginning as there are people who will reject us but after awhile we got use to it and we just try our best to give out as many flyers as possible. Many primers happen to pass by us and we asked them to share the details with their classmates and friends as well. During lunch time, huiwen and I actually went to school of SMA and ABE to knocks at lecturers doors to let them know about SGB and hoping that they will pledge as many food packs as possible. Some of them were very generous, on the spot they gave us the money and ask us to but on behalf of them. Many said that they will pledge as many food packs as possible.
We also went house to house at clementi to knock at their doors and told them about SGB and hope that they could help buy donating food packs. It was challenging to many of us in the beginning as it might be the first time for many of us. However, it was a great experience for me. People there are quite friendly and nice. They actually spare us their time and listen to us explaining the details. We will be going back to collect the food pack on 28th November (Saturday). Hope that we will be able to get as many food packs as possible.
Li Ting
Some of the primers, including myself, actually gave out flyers in the morning at Dover MRT to the students and lecturers who pass by there before entering into the school to let them know that SGB is here. It was not very easy in the beginning as there are people who will reject us but after awhile we got use to it and we just try our best to give out as many flyers as possible. Many primers happen to pass by us and we asked them to share the details with their classmates and friends as well. During lunch time, huiwen and I actually went to school of SMA and ABE to knocks at lecturers doors to let them know about SGB and hoping that they will pledge as many food packs as possible. Some of them were very generous, on the spot they gave us the money and ask us to but on behalf of them. Many said that they will pledge as many food packs as possible.
We also went house to house at clementi to knock at their doors and told them about SGB and hope that they could help buy donating food packs. It was challenging to many of us in the beginning as it might be the first time for many of us. However, it was a great experience for me. People there are quite friendly and nice. They actually spare us their time and listen to us explaining the details. We will be going back to collect the food pack on 28th November (Saturday). Hope that we will be able to get as many food packs as possible.
Li Ting
11.22.2009
YOU make the Difference, YOU are the Difference!
what little you can give can mean if they have a whole meal or just plain rice
what little you can give can mean if they have a whole meal or just plain rice
Christmas is here again! And in Primers, Christmas also means it is time for The Boys’ Brigade Sharity Gift Box @ Singapore Polytechnic (BBSGB@SP) again! It is a season where we want to bless the needy families in Singapore.
This is the 5th year that I am involved in SGB. It has always been an important part of Primers since I first joined in 2005. The Christmas tree and food items that are going to pile up in the storage room are things that you cannot miss in this season of SGB.
When I first entered into the project, I was in a ‘relax and calm’ mode as my event was the last of all, which means I have umpteen times! Haha. But thing is never as smooth. The last event was cancelled which leaves me to be even more free. Haha.
Well. The excitement came when I found out that we are doing 500 foodpack and Cluster C must at least aim for 120.WOW!! It blew me off to know what I am in for. I started rally anyone that I came across though I am a little shy about it.
I wouldn’t say it’s scary, it’s just EXCITING!! It is something that I am uncertain of yet I am excited to see it happen, and more excited to be part of it. Imagine, 500 foodpack to feed 250 families for a month, when will you ever have such a chance except in SGB?
And well, as I am working in a non-profit organization where I meet families who really don’t have enough to feed the children, I understand how much it means to them and how appreciative of them to have these foodpack.
One of my friends asked me what is the point of having only oil and rice, without any meat? Are they just going to have plain rice every meal? I thought about it and I answered that they could use the money that was supposed to buy rice and oil to buy fresh meat for dinner! Without these items that we provide, they probably will have to use the money to buy it, which in turn, may not have money to buy the meat.
So actually, what little you can give can mean if they have a whole meal or just plain rice!
And You make the difference! You are the difference!
-The difference if they have a whole meal or plain rice!
SO!! Make the difference & be the difference!
-huishan
11.20.2009
How to get to the new club room
Lets start our journey from a landmark, FC5
Upon arriving at FC5, Head towards the Sports Hall
Keep walking (run if you are in a hurry!) along the corridor and it will bring you the Foyer
Take a look around and you would see a distinctive staircase which leads to the Martial Arts Hall
Heading into the Martial Arts Hall is the wrong way to the Primers club room, turn to the door beside it instead =)
Head in straight and you will see the Clubroom of "SP Christian Fellowship"
Turn left and you would see the Primers club room!
Upon arriving at FC5, Head towards the Sports Hall
Keep walking (run if you are in a hurry!) along the corridor and it will bring you the Foyer
Take a look around and you would see a distinctive staircase which leads to the Martial Arts Hall
Heading into the Martial Arts Hall is the wrong way to the Primers club room, turn to the door beside it instead =)
Head in straight and you will see the Clubroom of "SP Christian Fellowship"
Turn left and you would see the Primers club room!
Big Move + Pre-flash
Finally, after so many people asking me:” Wen Sze, when are we moving the club house ah?” Now I can finally say, we are officially moved to SDC137. Those who do not know where is it, it is just above DSD.
On 18 Nov (Wed), I am supposed to teach all the people who will join me in flashmob to do rehearsal. But in the end, I ended moving the clubhouse. Starting it was only a few of us carrying the loads, step by step up the stairs and I do agree with Kenny even though it is only one level, it is still tiring! But gradually my dancers came, so I asked them to help out in moving the stuff. So together we unite, we completed moving everything by 4.30pm. Great job, guys. It is really quite tiring to carry the loads but we did it!
So after that we did our practice, and to my amazement they can really dance. So we completed it in like 20 minutes? Without further delay, I went back to help with the packing and together as a team, we managed to done up the room by 9 plus.
Throughout this two small events, it makes me feel that it is always possible to do things as long as you believe you can do it and working together as a team not only increase the efficiency of getting things done but most importantly enjoying the process that I spent with the people around me.
Wensze
On 18 Nov (Wed), I am supposed to teach all the people who will join me in flashmob to do rehearsal. But in the end, I ended moving the clubhouse. Starting it was only a few of us carrying the loads, step by step up the stairs and I do agree with Kenny even though it is only one level, it is still tiring! But gradually my dancers came, so I asked them to help out in moving the stuff. So together we unite, we completed moving everything by 4.30pm. Great job, guys. It is really quite tiring to carry the loads but we did it!
So after that we did our practice, and to my amazement they can really dance. So we completed it in like 20 minutes? Without further delay, I went back to help with the packing and together as a team, we managed to done up the room by 9 plus.
Throughout this two small events, it makes me feel that it is always possible to do things as long as you believe you can do it and working together as a team not only increase the efficiency of getting things done but most importantly enjoying the process that I spent with the people around me.
Wensze
Sir? Your Keys?
The very first part of SGB is publicity for collection from the HDB flats. It was a really fun time for me during this whole process as being in a team of 4, with Alex, Shi min, Kareen. So we were given instructions on what are the blocks that we are supposed to do publicity on, so for me it is 351 and 352. So being anxious about this whole experience, I went off to do my first household.
So one household by one household is down, I was so excited. I even met this guy who actually left his house key attached to the door lock and he forgets to get his keys. So I was knocking the door so that he will open the door and get his key back. But no matter how hard I try he did not respond to me, so Alex came and knock really hard. Soon the owner came and opened the door; then he gave us a really stern face. However, after telling him that he left his house keys outside, his smile seems to appear. So immediately we publicize SGB to him, and to my amazement he showed more concern about what we are doing as compared to what I thought he will react. This is one case that I have been through but there are many more experiences that I have experience that I felt that it was not a wasted trip for me personally. I hope you all felt this way too.
In this whole publicity event, I learned that it does not really matters a lot on how many food packs we can collect. But how much they know about SGB because if they do not donate now does not mean they will not in the future. With the every little publicity they received, I believe one day they will donate. As one of the guys in my group shared, every little impact will combined together and formed a great impact. And also I think I benefit more than anyone else as no other people can feel the way I feel unless they are part of this SGB, which is the love of giving. I hope that you guys who came to help also enjoyed as much as I did.
Wensze
So one household by one household is down, I was so excited. I even met this guy who actually left his house key attached to the door lock and he forgets to get his keys. So I was knocking the door so that he will open the door and get his key back. But no matter how hard I try he did not respond to me, so Alex came and knock really hard. Soon the owner came and opened the door; then he gave us a really stern face. However, after telling him that he left his house keys outside, his smile seems to appear. So immediately we publicize SGB to him, and to my amazement he showed more concern about what we are doing as compared to what I thought he will react. This is one case that I have been through but there are many more experiences that I have experience that I felt that it was not a wasted trip for me personally. I hope you all felt this way too.
In this whole publicity event, I learned that it does not really matters a lot on how many food packs we can collect. But how much they know about SGB because if they do not donate now does not mean they will not in the future. With the every little publicity they received, I believe one day they will donate. As one of the guys in my group shared, every little impact will combined together and formed a great impact. And also I think I benefit more than anyone else as no other people can feel the way I feel unless they are part of this SGB, which is the love of giving. I hope that you guys who came to help also enjoyed as much as I did.
Wensze
11.19.2009
SGB and what it means to me?
lets start with the person in the mirror, one step at at time to love, to learn, to give!
I am writing this blog entry as today marks the first day of our SGB project! The guys went out to Clementi area to distribute flyers to the residents asking them to donate a food pack each! We are aiming to get at least 100 food packs from 4000 units of HDB flats!
But as this whole project gets on the way, a deep stirring in my heart began to happen, as its been quite some time that I have been as involved in the project as I am this year! (the previous few years I was more or less somewhat of an advisor, the last time I really actually did something was way back in 2005!)A question beckons, why do I, Kenny Foo choose to do SGB?
What is something that I can learn/grow from this journey? As a family why do we do it?
Well whenever I start thinking like this a song comes to my mind!
A Michael Jackson Song ( I am a MJ fan k....even though i do not approve of his lifestyle but his songs are really good!)
Man in the mirror
I'm Gonna Make A Change,
For Once In My Life
It's Gonna Feel Real Good,
Gonna Make A Difference
Gonna Make It Right . . .
As I, Turn Up The Collar On My
Favourite Winter Coat
This Wind Is Blowin' My Mind
I See The Kids In The Street,
With Not Enough To Eat
Who Am I, To Be Blind?
Pretending Not To See
Their Needs
A Summer's Disregard,
A Broken Bottle Top
And A One Man's Soul
They Follow Each Other On
The Wind Ya' Know
'Cause They Got Nowhere
To Go
That's Why I Want You To
Know
I'm Starting With The Man In
The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change
His Ways
And No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
Take A Look At Yourself, And
Then Make A Change
I've Been A Victim Of A Selfish
Kind Of Love
It's Time That I Realize
That There Are Some With No
Home, Not A Nickel To Loan
Could It Be Really Me,
Pretending That They're Not
Alone?
A Willow Deeply Scarred,
Somebody's Broken Heart
And A Washed-Out Dream
They Follow The Pattern Of
The Wind, Ya' See
Cause They Got No Place
To Be
That's Why I'm Starting With
Me
I'm Starting With The Man In
The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change
His Ways
And No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make A Change
(of course there is always a video in my blog entry!)
Doing community service many times I hear people say how noble so and so is, or how noble I am when I choose to give, but for me? I always want to give, choose to give so that my heart will always remain tender to the needs of the poor. So that my heart is still a HEART, not one that is self centered or materialistic. I believe that in giving to others, I gain much much more than what I have given! An experience, a smile, a realization that I can only do so much, so little for the people around.
This caused me to even treasure the people around me more, not to take them for granted, and always taking God for my situation around me.
The challenge like the song sings, it always starts from the person in the mirror. One step at a time, one person to care for at one time!
I challenge you to give to this project just like me, I have given both time, money and more importantly my heart into this!
Come on Primers lets do a good job to feed the poor out there!Remember you are only as poor as you cannot give! And when you are tired, remember the 250 families out there awaiting for the fruits of our efforts!
Kenny Foo
In case you wanna know some other songs of MJ...one more clip for you guys!
This is a guy who did a medley of just SOME of the songs of MJ!
SGB Collection Publicity
Hi Primers! There is SGB Collection publicity going on ht 19th of November, Come down and help us promote SGB to the residents of Clementi and dover!
Time : 5pm
Venue : Singapore Poly Plaza
Visit the New Primers room to find out more!
Visit the New Primers room to find out more!
11.13.2009
How can I contribute to BBSGB@SP 2009?
Hi Primers! As the title goes.. here are the ways on how to contribute to BBSGB@SP 2009
These are the list of things where you can contribute to BBSGB@SP 2009. If you are interested in helping out, please contact the respective person in-charge through their emails.
Food Pack
You can also contribute a Food Pack too. Be part of it so that all of us can work towards the aim of 500 Food Packs.
So what is in a food pack?
1. 5kg of Rice
2. 5 cans of food
3. 10 packs of instant noodles
4. 2 Litres of oil
5. 1 seasoning
6. 25 instant cereal packs
7. 1.2KG/25 packs milo
8. 1 pack of 25 sachets coffee/tea
9. 1 box of biscuits
Opening Ceremony
We will be having an Opening Ceremony to kick start the whole SGB. So do come down for our Opening Ceremony and spread the words of SGB! Remember to bring all you classmates down for the Opening Ceremony.
Date: 23rd November 2009
Time: 1215hrs – 1245hrs
Venue: Amphitheater @ Moberly
Person to contact: Wei Jie [limwj25@hotmail.com]
Be part of the Publicity Team.
The publicity team is there to make awareness in SP so that people will know that SP.Primers is actually doing SGB. Also to tell them what is SGB all about. Do join the team if you’re interested.
Job scope:
Prepare and giving out of flyers in SP and Residential area.
Person to contact: Jing Yi [pinkey0jing@gmail.com]
Preparing of Flyers:
Date: 16th & 17th November 2009
Time: 1700hrs – 1900hrs
Venue: SP
Giving out of Flyers:
Date: 20th & 23rd November 2009
Time: To Be Confirmed
Venue: SP
Be part of the Collection team.
This year, we’re not only collecting food items from SP but we are collecting it from the Clementi residents too. Get ready to go door to door for food collection. For students who have yet to complete “ONOW” module you could join this team and be a volunteer.
Job scope:
Collect food items from residents
Take care of the donated food items
Person to contact: Huiqi [huiqiatspprimers@hotmail.com]
Collection Publicity details:
Date: 19th November 2009
Time: 1700hrs – 2200hrs
Venue: Plaza (Near Auditorium)
*Collection Publicity is to inform the residents that we’re doing SGB and ask
For their support.*
Collection details:
Date: 28th November 2009
Time: 0900hrs – 1830hrs
Venue: Plaza (Near auditorium)
*Highly encouraged to have breakfast before the event and lunch is not provided*
Be Part of the Distribution Team.
Ever wonder who are the beneficiaries of these donated food items? Join the distribution team if you want to know more about the beneficiaries. It would be a good experience to hear from them.
Job scope:
Distribute the food packs to the beneficiaries
Person to contact: Owen [ter.owen@gmail.com]
Distribution details:
Date: 15th & 17th December 2009
Time: 1900 hrs
Venue: SP
Be part of the Booth team.
We need people to be present at the booth to collect donated food items from students or lecturers from SP. If you have some extra time, do come down and help us. We can help to apply for you LOA if the need arises. Those needing CIP hours are strongly encouraged to come and help.
Booth Details:
Date: 23rd November 2009 – 4th December 2009
Time: 1100hrs – 1700hrs
Venue: The Plaza (Near Auditorium)
*Note: Booth will not be open during weekends and 27th Nov 09. (Public Holiday)
Job scope:
Be present at the booth to collect and take care of donated food items.
Take note of the number of food collected everyday
Person to contact: Jia Yi [xiao_tao_qi@hotmail.com]
These are the list of things where you can contribute to BBSGB@SP 2009. If you are interested in helping out, please contact the respective person in-charge through their emails.
Food Pack
You can also contribute a Food Pack too. Be part of it so that all of us can work towards the aim of 500 Food Packs.
So what is in a food pack?
1. 5kg of Rice
2. 5 cans of food
3. 10 packs of instant noodles
4. 2 Litres of oil
5. 1 seasoning
6. 25 instant cereal packs
7. 1.2KG/25 packs milo
8. 1 pack of 25 sachets coffee/tea
9. 1 box of biscuits
Opening Ceremony
We will be having an Opening Ceremony to kick start the whole SGB. So do come down for our Opening Ceremony and spread the words of SGB! Remember to bring all you classmates down for the Opening Ceremony.
Date: 23rd November 2009
Time: 1215hrs – 1245hrs
Venue: Amphitheater @ Moberly
Person to contact: Wei Jie [limwj25@hotmail.com]
Be part of the Publicity Team.
The publicity team is there to make awareness in SP so that people will know that SP.Primers is actually doing SGB. Also to tell them what is SGB all about. Do join the team if you’re interested.
Job scope:
Prepare and giving out of flyers in SP and Residential area.
Person to contact: Jing Yi [pinkey0jing@gmail.com]
Preparing of Flyers:
Date: 16th & 17th November 2009
Time: 1700hrs – 1900hrs
Venue: SP
Giving out of Flyers:
Date: 20th & 23rd November 2009
Time: To Be Confirmed
Venue: SP
Be part of the Collection team.
This year, we’re not only collecting food items from SP but we are collecting it from the Clementi residents too. Get ready to go door to door for food collection. For students who have yet to complete “ONOW” module you could join this team and be a volunteer.
Job scope:
Collect food items from residents
Take care of the donated food items
Person to contact: Huiqi [huiqiatspprimers@hotmail.com]
Collection Publicity details:
Date: 19th November 2009
Time: 1700hrs – 2200hrs
Venue: Plaza (Near Auditorium)
*Collection Publicity is to inform the residents that we’re doing SGB and ask
For their support.*
Collection details:
Date: 28th November 2009
Time: 0900hrs – 1830hrs
Venue: Plaza (Near auditorium)
*Highly encouraged to have breakfast before the event and lunch is not provided*
Be Part of the Distribution Team.
Ever wonder who are the beneficiaries of these donated food items? Join the distribution team if you want to know more about the beneficiaries. It would be a good experience to hear from them.
Job scope:
Distribute the food packs to the beneficiaries
Person to contact: Owen [ter.owen@gmail.com]
Distribution details:
Date: 15th & 17th December 2009
Time: 1900 hrs
Venue: SP
Be part of the Booth team.
We need people to be present at the booth to collect donated food items from students or lecturers from SP. If you have some extra time, do come down and help us. We can help to apply for you LOA if the need arises. Those needing CIP hours are strongly encouraged to come and help.
Booth Details:
Date: 23rd November 2009 – 4th December 2009
Time: 1100hrs – 1700hrs
Venue: The Plaza (Near Auditorium)
*Note: Booth will not be open during weekends and 27th Nov 09. (Public Holiday)
Job scope:
Be present at the booth to collect and take care of donated food items.
Take note of the number of food collected everyday
Person to contact: Jia Yi [xiao_tao_qi@hotmail.com]
11.03.2009
The Family Spirit
They remind each other drink more water, constantly checking each other stamina and cheer for each other during the match.
Right before the event, we had a little “prep-camp” for IPOD 09. My task was to draw out the main score sheet. Judging the number of teams, I was afraid that me and my committee can’t handle the amount of teams. My two helpers were Jason and Alan. We were short of manpower. Imagine the 3 of us need to take care of 12 basketball teams and 3 referees.
On that day itself there are some problems regarding the teams. First, one of the basketball team from NP had insufficient people and they have split themselves up into various teams. As a result we only have 11 teams. My solution for them is either I disqualify one team from NP or 1 NP basketball team will represent 2 teams. I’m glad that the basketball players from NP are very cooperative as they took the initiative to discuss and make a decision. In the end, they choose to have 1 NP team represent 2 teams.
Which also make my job easier as I don’t really need to do a lot of amendments on the score sheet that we prepared.
I was glad to have my 3 referees and medic with me. They are Sheng Long, Dylan, Lionel and Yaohan. They’ve helped me explain the rules of basketball and remind me of what I should do.
After lunch, the weather was very hot and humid. Thank God I’ve a mipro with me. Or else I guess I would have lost my voice. The mipro was very helpful as I used it to remind the basketballs players to have ample rest and hydrate themselves.
I guess all of the basketball players had fun. There are no quarrels or huge disagreement found on the court. Everyone respect the referee decisions and play the game fair and square. There are no injuries too!
The most important thing is that, I can see each and everyone bond together as a Primers family. With no injuries means that the teams have take good care of each other during the hectic day. They remind each other drink more water, constantly checking each other stamina and cheer for each other during the match.
Jing Yi
Basketball In-charge
From NP with love!
Well done SP Primers and next year we are visiting NYP, last but not least, we are looking forward for more of this bonding and interaction with you all again
The moment I step into SP, there are already people welcoming us to walk us in and it even more heartwarming when we receive the goodie bag with everything inside. Wen sze and partner start the whole event with a loud bang! Which really bring up the atmosphere for the event.This event is very well organize with the adding in of the ORHLYMPIC game, it very cool and engaging. I was in the basketball team, though we didn’t win a single match out of all but as the match pass by, we even started some funny conversation together with the SP, NYP and HQ. It seems like winner is not everything but the fun and bonding instead. Though I had a very hard time trying to score and win at least one match but seriously there’s no chance, can’t admit that I have not been gaining weight and lack in exercising.
It really nice to start breaking some ice with the SP primers friends as all along we have seen each other during the NDP 2009 but it always just a few look and HI and wave. I guess the 7UP and Mountain drink did some very good work of communication for all us. Sitting down with those drink and did some good chit chatting.
The lunch really rock! We smell the chicken rice the moment we step into the field and start swallowing down packets of it when the committee says that there is extra to give away. It really taste good and of course, not forgetting the shirt! We keep repeating those words along our way home “Got fast one, got slow one, got win one, got lose one. Inter Primers Olympic day!”
It has been super nice to be warmly invited for the appreciation dinner and I thought it really a very good chance to interact with the primers family. Though we are in different school but no matter what, primers are still primers whether it NP, SP or NYP, when wen sze bring us to the mobaly (don’t know how to spell, haha) that have such good atmosphere and lighting at night and of course not forgetting the swing that hang on the tree! It my first time seeing such swing that hang on the tree, it Boomz! Hahahaa!!
Well done SP Primers and next year we are visiting NYP, last but not least, we are looking forward for more of this bonding and interaction with you all again. CLAP CLAP!
Yee Cheng,
NP primers president
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